I didn’t say, as Gen. MacArthur did, “I shall return.” And, I did not say, as Arnold (The Terminator) Schwarzenneger did, “I’ll be back.” But, I have returned. I’m baaack. And, so is the Midweek Message.

Did you miss either me or it? Well, in a little over a month neither of us will be around for awhile. On October 4 I will fly to Los Angeles, there to board a 13 hour flight on Malaysia Air to Taipei, Taiwan. From there my pastoral friends and I will fly 4+ hours to Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, and from there we will travel another 4 hours by air to our destination in the Orient (unnamed for security reasons). We leave on a Thursday and arrive on a Sunday, I believe, because of the time zones we will cross.

Whew. The other side of the world is a long ways off. Flying to Dallas via Houston and back for the purpose of seeing my mother and siblings last week sort of prepared me for the October itinerary – sort of. How can anybody actually prepare for over 24 hours of incarceration in flying tubes containing hundreds of strangers and not sleeping in his own or, for that matter, any bed for two nights in a row? In fact, perhaps not sleeping at all for that period of time?

My sister Mary, somewhat of a trans-oceanic traveler herself, tells me to be prepared for the smells of curry and body odor long before I disembark. I’ve already been informed by others of the other odors I’ll experience. Actually, I think teaching doctrine to prospective church planters might be the easiest part of this deal J.

Actually, for all of this three week adventure I desperately need the prayers of all of you. You’ve already demonstrated your interest by the generous giving you’ve done. As the apostle told the Macedonians (Philippians 4:18), “I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received…what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” The finances for this trip have been abundantly supplied. It’s for your constant prayers that I’m asking, and I know you will grant my request.

It’s good to be baaack. I look forward to seeing you all on the Lord’s Day as we examine Psalm 45 together. As believers in Jesus we’re all headed for a Royal Wedding of magnificent proportions. Can’t wait for that trip! How about you?

In Jesus,

PF